Muscle Pain on Natural Statin

Q. About three months ago, I started taking red yeast rice to reduce my cholesterol. I am 52 and very active. (I walk, run and do Zumba classes.) In the past two weeks, I have been plagued with muscle pain in my upper arm and legs. I never had these problems before. I realized last night it might be the red yeast rice. Does it often cause this type of problem? A. Red yeast rice (RYR) is frequently promoted as a natural way to lower cholesterol. This fungal product contains several statins, not as added drugs but because the yeast makes them. Many others report similar side effects from RYR. One wrote: “My doctor suggested I could lower my cholesterol with niacin and then a good quality red yeast rice with CoQ10. Both LDL and HDL scores improved a lot, but a recent blood test showed elevated creatine kinase (385). “I am concerned that RYR damaged my muscles like statins can. Should I be concerned?” We are sending you our Guide to Cholesterol Control and Heart Health for pros and cons of standard approaches as well as non-drug ways to lower blood lipids. Creatine kinase is a marker of muscle breakdown. Elevations are worrisome, whether due to statin drugs like atorvastatin, simvastatin or red yeast rice.

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LK

June 17, 2012 at 10:34 am

I have been taking Red Yeast Rice and CQ10 for over 20 years and have had no significant side effects. Fortunately my readings have been very good and have been staying in very good range all the time. So it works for me very well. Does not work for everyone.

ladyliza

June 17, 2012 at 1:57 am

I had no problems taking RYR but I have muscle damage from taking Pravastatin. I have been off it over a year and I still have problems with my legs. At the moment the Dr. has me taking No -flush niacin, 2X/day, Pantethine 2X/day. My bad cholesterol dropped by 42 points. I try to take powdered non gmo lecithin every day but I probably only remember 3 days/week.

s.h.

June 12, 2012 at 1:27 pm

Red Yeast Rice caused the same “memory ” problems that the “itors: lipitor and crestors” did. I knew right then, that red yeast rice worked, though the medical and pharmacy-types said that it did not. Had I stayed on RYR longer, I would probably have hurt in my muscles, also, the same way as with the “itors”.

Torrence

June 12, 2012 at 6:46 am

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